Club for Growth endorses Jim Banks for congress

The conservative group that is backing Rep. Marlin Stutzman's Senate campaign has chosen a candidate in the race to succeed Stutzman.

The political arm of the Club for Growth announced Thursday its endorsement of state Sen. Jim Banks in the crowded GOP primary in northeast Indiana.

Former Indiana Rep. David McIntosh, who heads the Club for Growth, said Banks has been a "top conservative leader for economic freedom" in the legislature. He credited Banks with being at the forefront of passage of Indiana's "right to work" law, which prohibits unions from mandating that nonmembers pay fees to the unions for representing them. McIntosh also said Banks was a leader in ending the state's inheritance tax.

"The Club's PAC believes Jim Banks would be a strong voice in Congress for lower taxes, less spending, and smaller government," McIntosh said in a statement.

The endorsement means the group is recommending that its supporters contribute to Banks. The group will decide later whether it should also spend money on independent activities, such as advertisements.

Other groups that have endorsed Banks include the Tea Party Express and FreedomWorks PAC.

Other candidates seeking the GOP nomination in the 3 rd District include state Sen. Liz Brown and Warsaw resident Pam Galloway, a retired physician and former Wisconsin state legislator.

Kip Tom, whose family is one of Indiana's largest agriculture producers, filed organizational campaign papers this month and is expected to make a formal announcement next month.

The Club for Growth's interest in Indiana is part of its goal to expand its role in House races nationally.

The group hopes to elect like-minded candidates in about 15 districts.

Indiana's race to replace retiring GOP Sen. Dan Coats is one of four Senate contests the group is involved in.